Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 16728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
His heartbeat quickens under my palm, a rhythmic thud that matches the wild pace of my own heart. It’s intoxicating, and I want nothing more than to stay wrapped in this moment. His kiss ignites a fire within me that I never knew existed.
But just as I feel myself getting lost in the heat of it all, a little voice in the back of my mind screams for me to stop. I don’t want to rush into something I’m not prepared for, and the possibilities of where this could lead make me dizzy. With a surge of willpower, I force myself to pull back, breaking the kiss.
Our lips part, but the electric connection lingers in the air between us. I look into his deep eyes, searching for clarity in the haze of emotions swirling inside me. He's breathing heavily, a mixture of surprise and desire etched on his handsome face.
“Wow,” I breathe, trying to regain my composure. “That was... intense.”
“You can say that again.” He chuckles softly, brushing a stray hair behind my ear, and I can’t help but shiver at the gentle touch. Maybe I won't want to pull back next time.
After our kiss, the atmosphere between us has changed from friendly banter to intense desire. My sensible brain is fighting with my overheated body, and I know I need to get away and think this whole thing through.
“It’s getting late.” I use the age-old excuse.
A battle rages in his dark eyes for a moment, but then he sighs. "Tell you what," he says, retrieving his phone from his pocket. "How about you give me your number? Just in case I need to discuss our weekend date with you."
I consider him for a moment, tapping my glass thoughtfully against the bar's polished surface. This man, with his intense eyes and magnetic charm, does crazy things to my heart and other important body parts.
"Alright," I agree, pulling my phone from my bag and exchanging numbers. His name flashes across my screen as I save it, the letters a promise of the unknown waiting ahead.
"Guess it’s time to call it a night," I murmur, setting my empty glass down with a clink that echoes around us.
He moves to stand, offering a hand that I take, savoring the warmth of contact. Sparks pass back and forth between our clasped palms, causing a shiver to race down my spine. I’m expecting him to argue, but Eric shocks me. "Next weekend, then," he declares, his grip lingering, both a goodbye and a promise.
When he leans over and places a soft kiss on my lips, I nearly jump into another steamy kiss but manage to hold myself back. “I’ll see you then.” My scratchy voice tells him how much his closeness is affecting me.
Chapter 5
Eric
This has been the longest damn week of my life. Every hour ticks by, slow and torturous, as if the universe itself is moving at turtle speed as I wait for my weekend date with Eve. The anticipation is chewing away at me with the subtlety of a jackhammer. I didn't expect anyone to ever get under my skin like this, but fuck, here we are.
By Wednesday, I’m climbing the fucking walls. I can't focus on the screenplay I’m writing, and every little thing seems to find a way to remind me of her. It's more than just her wild red hair or her eyes that seem to have a twinkle of amusement hinting at whatever smartass comment she’s about to make with that sultry voice of hers. I’ve been hit by Cupid’s arrow, laced with a heavy dose of irony. My fucking solitary life is coming to an end and I couldn’t be happier.
To hell with it. My thumb hovers over my phone screen before I cave, firing off a quick text to her. It's supposed to be casual and not too eager. I tell myself I'm just checking in, but we both know that's not the whole story.
Me
How’s your week going?
The response comes back sooner than I expect with her same dry wit threaded through every syllable. Eve’s got a knack for leaving me on the edge, waiting to see what she'll toss back my way.
Little Siren
Great. I don’t want it to ever end. I hope the weekend never comes.
Her response makes me chuckle, appreciating the way she loves to get under my skin. God, I want to see her sass in action, not just through the safety of a screen. I fire back, fingers dancing over the screen.
Me
You’re begging for me to turn your ass red.
There’s a pause, and then the phone buzzes in my hand.
Little Siren
I’m game. If you think you can handle me, bring it on.
Her teasing winds me tighter. The banter is both a relief and a new kind of torture, ramping up the magnetic pull between us.